by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Vicar-General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, Monsignor Cletus T. Gotan, has asserted that, former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Nengak Lubo, “bore the burdens of leadership with dignity and grace and lived not for himself but for a cause far greater than himself.”
In his homily during the Funeral Mass of late Very Rev. Fr. Polycarp Nengak Lubo at St. John Vianney Seminary, in Barkin-Ladi on Thursday, Msgr. Gotan said, “Friends are not a sign of weakness, but of strength,” and charged everyone, who is alive today and will be dead, some sooner than others, to know that, “this is a divine appointment we cannot escape; and though we will each die physically.”
According to him, “Many found in our brother a rare man of God, who understood that faith must walk hand-in-hand with justice, truth, and national responsibility. He spoke fearlessly on matters affecting our state and our country, always grounding his words in the gospel with courage and compassion.
“Many of us are, however, so unfortunately occupied with the distractions in the world, so preoccupied with the vanities on the way that we have forgotten that we are on a journey that leads back to God, our resting place. Your Age, your Colour, your Time, your Profession, your Wealth, your Status is not the end; the only end is ‘to rest in God.’
“That is why, your time (be it morning, afternoon or evening) or your age, which may or may not reach the biblical age of three-score-and-ten or even older, does not count here. What is certain is that the earthly tent of the body will be destroyed and we shall die one day,” he noted
He said, “Nigeria, today, we faces injustice, insecurity, tribalism, corruption, and all sorts of vices have overwhelmed the country. People hungry for blood like the biblical Cain; kill their brothers and sisters without any qualms or compunction – when we all know that all violence against any human being is an attack on God himself, who made man in His own image and likeness.
“Where did we get it wrong here, in Nigeria, with all the glaring blessings endowed on us by the Lord? We have a beautiful and a rich country in terms of our natural and human resources, but it is a poor country because of those who run and ruin her.
“Forget the fact that Nigeria is ranked the ‘most prayerful country’ on earth; it sadly also seems to be the most sinful and it has so sadly become a global case study of how a nation can be ‘deeply religious’ and yet not be prosperous.
Msgr Gotan explained that, “The death of the likes of Polycarp, who worked hard for the love and the development of other people, should prick the consciences of all of us who still have them. The best homage we can pay to Polycarp is to continue the fight against inequalities, injustices, corruption in our country, and try to create a society where everybody would, in a just manner, have access to the wealth of this country and the rights of everyone respected.
“In spite of the situation we are in and, despite the allegations of complicity of some, my heart goes out to our security agencies, including the local vigilante groups and community security outfits for all they do to protect and secure us. Without their efforts, which often put their lives on the line, the situation would certainly have been worse than it is now.
“While we are not oblivious of the fact that, given the wide spread nature of the insecurity in the country, the security personnel are overstretched and thinly spread, I believe that like in everything else in life there is always room for improvement.
“There is need for pro-activeness and intensification of intelligence gathering, sharing and surveillance. Government should still invest more by recruiting and training our so many un- and under-employed young men and women idly roaming our streets to defend and protect our land,” he urged.
“As for the politicians, I want to ask you: Why are you like this? Because, many of you have abandoned service and embraced self; you have forgotten or, perhaps deliberately ignored, that leadership is a sacred trust, not a business deal.
“Politics, in its noblest form, is stewardship. But in Nigeria, it has too often become an enterprise of plunder, manipulation, and deceit,” he disclosed.
The Vicar-General stressed thus: “Providence alone has brought us together in Nigeria… Yes, not by choice, but by divine will or historical fate, we have become one people. Yet, instead of building unity in diversity, our leaders exploit our differences, ethnic, religious, and regional to divide and rule. Rather than turning our rich diversity into strength, they use it as a weapon to fracture us further.
“Opportunities to greater heights offer themselves… Indeed, Nigeria is rich in both human and natural resources. Our young people are brilliant, resilient, and globally sought after. Yet, poor governance, corruption, and insecurity continue to squander these opportunities. Other nations rise with less; we fall with more. It is a tragedy that doesn’t just anger, it wounds,” he lamented.
“I have refused to believe the theory that the “blood of the innocent is politically motivated?” The fact that this question even arises speaks volumes. Whether for politics, power, or profit, no goal can justify the killings and displacement of innocent Nigerians. Every drop of blood spilled is a wound on the soul of the nation. If, indeed some are benefiting from this suffering, then how deep has our collective conscience died?” he questioned.
“The most painful betrayal is when the pulpit becomes an extension of the political podium, and prophets become praise-singers; then the nation loses its moral compass,” he said, and charged the Church and all places of worship to be the last sanctuary of truth, not a stage for manipulation, noting that, “The prophetic voice must never be for sale.”
“May God raise among us men and women, who are not afraid to speak truth, live truth, and serve with truth. And, may the death of the righteous, like Fr. Polycarp, remind us all that life is short but eternity is forever.
“Priests and religious have your mission in the Church; parents have theirs in the family, teachers in the school, doctors in the hospital, engineers in the industry, legal luminaries in the court of justice, among others.”
The Vicar-General further noted that, “Our mission as comforters should not only be words of comfort but also enforcing lasting solutions to their grief. Let us not only clean the tears of the oppressed but also fight for their rights. Let us not just feed the hungry, but also empower and help them achieve food security. Let us not only visit the sick, but also assist them receive adequate medical attention.”
Mnsgr Gotan then charged those with the constitutional duty of “protecting and securing our lives and property” to fear God and wake up to their responsibilities in these difficult days in the lives of their people.
He also appealed for a change of heart and deliberate efforts from everyone to promote the common good by working for justice and fair play for all, adding, “Let us work together to combat the decay, contradictions, and scandals that plague our society.
“We must strive for a system that is fair and just for all. Let us not be discouraged by the actions of a few, but rather stand united in our pursuit of a better Nigeria. The cross we bear may seem heavy now, but it is important to hold onto hope and trust that better days are ahead,” he stated.
“Therefore, we should not allow our bodies to be present in the Church, while our souls are drifting in the world. Let the altar not only be a place of reception, but a place of surrender.
“Let our churches be filled not only with people, but with hearts burning with love for Christ. My dear friends, we cannot afford to remain being ‘part-time’ Christians when there is a full-time enemy,” Gotan stated.